Eureka – We have found the Skydeck

Netball nailed, starving kids, and a day of fun planned, we jumped into the car, threw some stale muffins at the brats in the back and headed to The Eureka Skydeck, on the 88th Floor (a whopping 285 meters above sea level) of the incredible Eureka Tower!

This truly is an unbelievable Melbourne icon. Looking up at this tower, it’s hard to imagine how on earth we are going to be able to stand at the top and look down, especially as Poppy is already having palpitations at the thought! The Eureka tower is 297meters high, gold plated and stands as proud as punch next to the Yarra river. You can’t miss it, and you definitely don’t want to either.

We were ushered through security (I was praying Monty was going to behave), and into the lift. It travels so fast you almost blink and miss the journey! We arrived at the 88th floor in no time at all, all poking about in our ears as they desperately needed popping! We stepped out of the lift, a little apprehensive about how high up we were, however, as soon as we clapped eyes on the view we all gasped. We gasped the biggest gasp we have ever gasped!! The view was was spectacular, astounding, stunning, incredible, remarkable, dazzling. I’m pretty sure Monty said “bloody hell;” I just walked toward the floor to ceiling windows in awe, pretending he wasn’t with me! The view is not only breath-taking, but the Eureka Sky deck is by far the best observation deck we have ever been in; and we’ve been in a few. There is so much to see, to learn and to photograph. (*note to self, empty iPhone albums).

Walking around the deck, you get to see the whole of Melbourne, the parks, the sports centres, the bustling lanes full of shoppers. You get to see Melbourne from the best vantage point. As the highest public observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere, Eureka claims to offer a “visual masterpiece,” they’re not wrong. The little telescopes they have highlighting the main attractions in the city are wonderful, we all loved them! Monty spent ages staring down at the MCG! Happy cricket fan right here! The Eureka Skydeck is the most wonderful way to get your head around where things are in relation to everything else! Great for everyone, tourist or local! It’s like staring down at a moving map of the most liveable city in the world! Are we the luckiest ducks you know?

Once we had made our way around the viewing deck oohing and aaaaahing, and I had stopped praising Mr W for bringing us to this awesome city, we headed to ‘The Edge’. This was the part of the experience I had least been looking forward to if I’m honest. I’m not a massive “heights” fan, Poppy is trembling! Honestly, we were all a little apprehensive!!

We were kindly asked to put covers on our shoes so as not to scratch the glass, the kids loved this as we looked like we had pixie feet! The man in charge asked us not to jump around or take any belongings into the box for safety reasons. I took a deep breath, smiled and pretended I was thrilled to be entering this glass box! Here goes! We took our children by the hand and headed into the world’s first and only Edge Experience – we were in a glass cube, holding on for dear life. The door closed, the cracking glass sound effect made me jump out of my skin, and we began our journey outwards from the side of the 88th floor. With a little shuddering and pretty terrifying sound effects within a few seconds The Wilsons were suspended almost 300 meters high above Melbourne city, standing on glass! Yes glass!!! I know!!!!!!! Monty knocked the door and was let out, the rest of us lasted a bit longer. You know who was the least terrified… Poppy! Tim was pretending to be Mr Cool, but I could see the terror in his eyes, bless!!!

Aside from the hysteria of being in a glass box above the streets of Melbourne, it was the most fantastic experience. It’s like nothing we have ever done with the children. It is a view like no other, and if you can brave the cube you will not be disappointed.

We survived the Edge, we posted postcards from the highest postbox in the world, we ate icy poles over looking the city below, and we let the children dangle themselves off the side of the building too! (That’s a joke, it’s trick photography for goodness sake).

We had such a great day out, there were no tantrums, no arguments, just pure enjoyment, smiley faces and lots of gushing about this wonderful city! I’m definitely going again, maybe on my own nest time, so I can really soak up the views in peace whilst sipping on an espresso, reminding myself what a bloody lucky lot we are!

Facts about the Skydeck:

Eureka Skydeck 88 is the highest public vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere

The top of the Tower can flex up to 600mm in high winds (eeek)

There are two 300,000-litre water tanks on level 90 & 91 that prevent any excess swaying

3,680 stairs – 92 storeys – 52,000 sq. metres of windows

The glass on Eureka’s top 10 levels is 24 carat gold plated

Eureka used 110,000 tonnes of concrete and weighs 200,000 tonnes.

If you want to visit the Skydeck, head to the website for opening times, ticket prices and all the what’s on news about the Easter holiday activities too!! Monty thinks you should!!

To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all – Oscar Wilde